, meaning the president, and re-elected us. that's not a mandate to raise taxes. it's a mandate to work together. >> mandate to work together which means they may not go on their break which is expected. i heard the speaker tell you that he's going to tell you as well. quickly, dana, he's going to stay regardless of whether they go on break, right? >> reporter: right. and the question was the house of representatives is going to finish their work this week in about 45 minutes and it's only wednesday. >> right. >> reporter: they are going to go home. they are not going to be in session on thursday or friday. i asked the speaker whether that is got optics for the house to leave town while the fiscal cliff is so close in front of us and that is the answer, that he will be in town, ready, willing, and able to talk to the president at any time. so that was really the issue. the house republican leadership, i tell you, they say they simply don't have any legislation to put on the floor. that's why they are play sending their members